22-08-2018, 06:58 PM
(This post was last modified: 22-08-2018, 07:03 PM by Strawberry Avenger.)
(22-08-2018, 05:39 PM)Salvatore Matrecano Wrote: Just a sideline to this debate. There seems to be a bit of a consensus that our full backs are “targeted”. Is there any real evidence for this? Pretty well every team tries to attack down the flanks and put a cross in regardless of the opponent. From what I have seen (home games only) we are coping OK with this, the achilles heel which every manager in the league will know is that we cant defend set pieces.
For what its worth though I still would play Robinson at LB and Benny in midfield.
Well, there are perceived (by the opposition) weaknesses in every side...to be targeted.
What I noted was that Wigan, Reading were that Geddy had several players 'on' him. Fox too...had 3 on him. Dawson v Bristol City had 'two' on him which led to the goal. We don't seem to be stopping the crosses? Is that because we play a little bit narrow? Or because Dar' and Benny are just 'cover' fullbacks as opposed to being the real deal aka Byram and Robinson?
eg. Wigan seemed to be putting the ball into those areas.
Suggests a lack of aerial authority. Suggests 'soft' fullbacks. They get a lot of the play probably due to the way we're set up and 'good luck' trying to get through Geddy/Watson/Colback. Which suggest the fullbacks are being targeted.
Wigan also seemed to be whipping in crossed balls to the feet of our CHs...
I would agree that Benny goes into midfield or plays wingback in a 3-5-2. Robinson is an actual LB. He can also play CH so it suggests he understands the space between the two.
Also, as GaribaldiRED noted. Yes. It is a team game to defend. Which starts from the front? Are the wingers covering Dar' and Os' properly? eg. Goncalves left Os' exposed for that equaliser vs WBA.
So, it's never as 'simple' as saying the fullbacks are 'soft'. There is more to it. ie. What are the midfield doing? ie. Do we have the energy and consistency of 'steel' in CM to help stop what Wigan were doing? Seemed to do better when Watson came on. But does he have the legs?
We certainly seemed to do it better pre-season? But pre-seasons aren't as intense as Championship football?
I'm looking forward to the next five games to see how Forest go. I'd love Forest to beat 'City' at the City Ground and put us back in the top six.
We are just a germinating side. I feel Aitor has most of the pieces to keep us top 6-8. Not sure if we have all the pieces. I'll be happy to be proven wrong though..
I just like Forest to win!
SA.
Mind you, Pants flapping 'my ball' when a corner decision had been given ruffled his composure...instead of marshalling his defence. Surprised about that. But again, it wasn't 'just his fault.' Why did Fig' do a cr*p back pass...and who gave him the ball from midfield? Why are we playing the ball back in the first few mins? Why was our passing sloppy?
You can't keep having slow starts and giving soft early goals away. But that maybe down to the fact that the real steel in the side of Dawson, Watson and Soudani weren't playing along the spine to start with.
SA.